On March 6, I submitted an ethics complaint against Mayor Friedel based on what I feel is a violation of the Code of Ethics codified in the Fountain Hills Rules of Procedures.
The complaint was based on the following demonstrably false statement, made by Friedel in a letter to the editor of this newspaper, published on Feb. 21: “My meetings with Sheriff Jerry Sheridan resulted in year-over-year savings of 6% or approximately $370,000.” This statement was untrue. The reduction had nothing to do with Friedel, something he has yet to publicly acknowledge.
Friedel’s attempt to take credit for the reduction violated provisions of the code obligating him to “be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor, ethics and integrity” and to avoid conduct “unbefitting” a public official.
